If only the referees where as good as the stadium

I’m back with another accessible stadium review after attending a controversial match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

It’s my 4th trip to the home of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club and whilst I could add a few jokes about the celebrations and Robbie Williams adaptation of Angels I’d prefer to focus on the accessibility of one of the best stadiums in the UK, if not the World.

As always the Liverpool Football Club accessible stewards were on hand to assist, but it wasn’t the usual crew and there were not visible after entry into the ground.

A notable element of Spurs disability strategy and support is a very visible, proactive and helpful Simon Blewett (He/Him) , their Disability Access Officer. He takes pride in welcoming home and away fans both before and after matches. Whilst we’ve go to know each other through social media, LinkedIn and mutual friend (and Spurs fan) Martyn Sibley, I don’t believe he treats me any more favourably than other disabled fans. He did guide me on accessible parking procedures and came to check on me before and after the match.? He’s also supported by very friendly, welcoming, accessibility stewards.? A big tick in the box for the accessibility staffing at Spurs.

Moving onto the facilities, I’m conscious that I spend too much time enjoying myself in the highs and lows of the matches, but don’t take enough photos. I’m headed to Brighton this weekend and I am instructing my friend and carer to be on camera duties for all things like toilets and lifts.? Anyway back to Tottenham’s stadium. The first thing I notice and like is the huge lift from street to podium level, which can comfortably accommodate 4 wheelchairs and PA’s, or 10 ambulatory disabled fans. Entrance into the stadium is not segregated from other fans and is just via a wide automatic turnstile automatic door arrangement. Once inside the stadium, there are wide ramps to two lifts.? Both are huge and both go to the accessible concourse areas. Again, this means that entering or egressing the stadium is fast.? It’s hard to describe the accessible concourse because it’s kind of built into the existing one.? It’s a level above the main concourse, but both disabled and non-disabled fans are allowed to access it.? The stewards control the capacity to ensure that disabled fans can still move around freely.? The refreshment counter is low and there are viewable TV screens to keep up-to-date with the football happening elsewhere. There are only two accessible toilets, which, if I’m being honest, is a little bit disappointing.? Tottenham is a new stadium, and they meet the accessible stadium guidelines offering a whopping 28 away wheelchair spaces, but there are only two accessible toilets. Considering most of us need a pee (or more) at halftime this is a ratio of 14:1, excluding ambulatory fans who may need the provision of an accessible loo too. Breaking that down further and bringing it to life, this means that each individual gets just over one minute at half time to use the bathroom, which isn’t realistic for many disabled fans. Furthermore, there is no Changing Places UK facility for away fans.? The accessible toilet element is a bit of inclusive design oversight.

Accessible parking is in a nearby school for away fans and he's literally less than a minutes roll from the stadium. Accessible train travel from central London is available when the drivers are not on strike!

Views from wheelchair bays are are not restricted in anyway, and you even get to roll on nice carpet floor!

It's a fantastic experience for a disabled person to visit the Tottenham Hotspur stadium and one day as a neutral. I'd really like to enjoy the hospitality facilities available. I have heard great things about them. You never know, we may get to go there again this season #replay